Looking for opinions on boats and I'm sure you all have plenty....
I know that different boats throw different wakes and if you weight them properly you can get a killer wave from just about any 21' + V-Drive.

I'm looking for anything that is NOT obvious about some of the following models. Is there something I should consider before buying one of these? Is there a well-known issue that might affect one of these models? Is there a part on the boat that I should check because they are known to fail after xxx amount of hours? Just looking for some HEADS UP.

The boat will be used 95% for wakesurfing. The other 5% for cruising and wakeboarding.

So far, the best deals I've found are on a 2003-2005 Calabria ProV, Supreme V230, MB B52, or Sanger V230.

I like the size of all 4 of these. 23 footers (except the MB) with a nice wide beam. I like the Supreme because I've owned one before (v208). I like the Calabria because I used to own an Alpina and I loved that you could fill and drain the ballast in less than a minute. Sure, I'll be adding additional ballast, but it's nice that the first 700lbs will fill quickly. I like the Sanger, but this is the one I am probably least familiar with. The MB's have a good reputation and look like they're well built.

If there's anything that you know of that would help me lean one way or the other, let me know.

You are basically just looking for a deep V boat. The older MB boats don't have the quick ballast system. The supreme v230 has a pretty flat hull. I would stay away. Honestly I don't anything about the Calabria's. They look nice though. Here is a good list that I used when looking. What's your budget? Just like you said, enough weight and spent dialing in most boats can throw great waves.

Calabria and the Supreme V230 are pretty flat bottom and I don't think they are what you're looking for if it's a 'surf' boat. People how have them seem to like them but they would not be the first choices for a surf wake.

From what I have seen the Sanger V230 would be the best one in the list of best deals you gave us. Duffy has a very good list there. You can also throw in the Tige 2006+ 22Ve/24Ve if you could find a good deal on one.

Duffy, yeah this is Josh. We both live in Sandpoint and I love riding Duffy's surf machine. It's the best.
Not too many deals on avalanches (c4's anyway), but I found some really good deals on some of the Calabria's so I'm bummed to hear they dont have a deep v.
Our local dealer has a Supreme V230, but I guess that's not gettin much love.

Here is a pic of my 2006 V232 - Awesome wave - easily dialed - We surf 80% of the time and the boat is amazing, I think better than an Avy/Enzo, but hey that's just me.

I helped a friend try and dial in his 2006 Calabria Pro V this summer - they are pretty shallow boats - like a Sanger and the "OK" wave that it produces doesn't have much drive to it. A photo of it weighted as well.

Thanks everyone for the advice. FYI - my price range is under $30,000. I guess if it was like $5k under blue book I might go up to $33,000.
I'll take a look at those Tige's. I like the looks of that 2003 Tige 22v.
Timmy! - why did you say 2006+ 22Ve ? What does the "e" add and is anything older than 2006 not worth it?
Jarod - I like the look of that 09 TeamV wake, but I'm sure that's a completely different hull than the older (and longer...?) ProV's.
If anyone else has any tips, please keep 'em coming.

The older tige 22v have bigger lockers then the 22ve which = more weight I would stay with one of those if possible, plus that will keep you in your budget. Even the 22v's hold their value well in our area. Might know of a 22v for sale. Needs work but has lots of promise.

The 22Ve is a different boat than the 22V. In '06 they started the Ve series which includes a different windshield, a different hull, a transom activity center and a different tower I believe. The Ve is the same under neath as an RZ2. I just thought I would throw it out there in case you stumbled onto a good deal on one.

There is an auction here in Denver this weekend for one that a guy got taken away from him for running a ponzi scheme:

How sure are you that the Ve and the 22v have different hulls. They look indentical! I see them both almost side to side and I cannot tell a difference. You can see most of the changes are on the top cap in the Ve series.

How sure are you that the Ve and the 22v have different hulls. They look indentical! I see them both almost side to side and I cannot tell a difference. You can see most of the changes are on the top cap in the Ve series.

The Ve was a brand new mold, both the hull and the deck cap. It has more rocker then the old V hull.

Timmy! - I won't be ready to pull the trigger on this purchase for about another month....so when you sent that auction link I was kicking myself for not having my finances ready!! It looked like a great deal at $23k last night. The bid is already up to $29,500 so i don't feel as bad about it now. I'm sure they'll get over $35k for it. Looks like a nice boat.

Jarod - my bad, I was thinking of the shorter Pro V 2.

I did contact Olinger. In my price range he has that Supreme V230, but I guess the hull is fairly flat. I also don't like how there's no seating on the drivers side behind the driver.

The Calabria Pro-V is actually a 21' boat, for some reason they count the platform as extra length.

That being said, because of it's 102" beam it's very roomy inside.

And it REALLY likes an extra 600 pounds in the bow/walkway between the front and back. Typically we'll run full ballast in the side we're surfing, a 600 sac in the walkway, a 750 in the rear corner, a 400 on the seat, and a 400 on the floor on top of the cooler.

That's good to hear will5150. How many surf wakes have you ridden? What are the other boats? A 2001 21V would probably fit the category of "budget surf boat". Any stock ballast in addition to the 800# and 700# sacs? Post some wave pics if you have any. Thanks.

Tige 21v wave is just slightly less then the Tige 22v wave. The back of the boat has some cutouts. The lockers are large and can hold very large custom sacs. Weight and lots of it, is the key to most great surf waves.

Yup~ I've ridden an X-star, (2010), X-15(2009), Centurian 21V (2001), Supra 22V 2007, Nautique , Malibu I-Ride with a wedge and a TON of weight- to name a few... No other ballast in my boat. I don't have any good surf pics on this computer... I'll see If I can post some later from the home computer where the photos reside. Definitely you should be able to get a decent deal on an 2001/2002 Tige -the only difference between the 21 and 22VE's are the spray pockets they took out after 2001. Seriously, I 'd have a hard time telling the difference between the wakes of either boat.
Also- depth of the lake makes a HUGE difference in you surf wake- if you're riding in less than 10 Feet- the wake will not reach it's full potential. You need to ride in 15+ feet to really create the "push" with the wake. the best photos you'll see of surf wakes are in deep water. How's the baby coming along Jeff?

Yeah, that's way too much for an auction boat, even one that nice.
If anyone else knows of any good deals (preferrably under $30-$32k), please post them here.
Centurion, Calabria, MB Sports, Supreme, Sanger, or Tige.
Help the boatless find a good deal...

side note- does anyone have info on finding good boat auctions? most of what you find on google are ads for "seized vehicle auctions" that seem like rip-offs asking you to subscribe to some list. Or, the boats are all angler/cabin type boats.

Too good to be true?
I found a boat on boattrader through a private party that books for $40,000 and that's what similar boats are selling for....he is asking less than $30,000 and it just seems to good to be true. He sent over 50 details pictures and the boat looks to be in good shape, but just sounds like too good of a deal.

1) Is it worth getting a boat history report to check if this was salvaged? I've seen these “carfax” type services online for about $35. Just not sure if boats are like cars where salvaged boats have to be reported.

2) What are some major things to inspect before finalizing a purchase? Obviously, having a mechanic take a look would be best, but any other suggestions?

What is the year make and model? The only reason I ask is NADA can be very misleading on a few brands. Hell, when I purchased and sold my 04 Calabria Cal Air direct drive a few years ago it booked at almost 40 but the boat was only worth 25-27. Sometimes NADA works ok, sometimes it is not anywhere close to the ballpark.

2007 24 foot V-drive (brand is one of those listed above). So, under $30k just doesn't seem right. I even have the "carfax' and nothing has been reported, but I don't know if that is even a requirement in some states....does anyone know?

h20proof, tough to tell. If you are talking about a ProV that boat isn't actually a 24 foot boat. It is 21'6". If it is an Enzo 24' or a Tige 24' that is a ridiculous deal for an 07 or it is a scam. Even if it is a 2007 Calabria ProV 30k is a ridiculous deal. Not sure if you are worried about someone else snagging the boat out from underneath you but PM me and I will let you know what I think. I am not in the market for a boat at all.